2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, much like the Grand Cherokee. It was available in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades to enhance the lineup. The base price started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while the High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited, with all-wheel drive, was priced from $32,645. The test vehicle, a 2020 Compass Limited with AWD, was equipped with numerous options, bringing the total to $39,755, including the destination charge. Despite its premium features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal, though it was a significant improvement over the original Compass model.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover, once a basic and rugged tool, had evolved into a luxurious SUV with a starting price of $92,000. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, standard paint, wheels, and leather, along with a few extra options. The Range Rover's design, approaching its 10th anniversary, remained timeless with hallmark cues and a modern yet classic look. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its high-contrast Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models, it was manageable with some practice.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite these figures, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with the test vehicle averaging 23.1 mpg, below the EPA rating of 25 mpg. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the automatic engine stop/start system affected air conditioning performance. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. While the Compass offered decent off-road capability, especially in Trailhawk trim, the Limited test vehicle lacked some features but still handled moderately difficult trails without issues.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission and electric motor assistance provided smooth power delivery. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension filtered road harshness, offering a classic wafting sensation. The Range Rover's steering was slow in response, and the adaptive air suspension struggled with the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity. The EPA rated the Range Rover at 20 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a Luxury Seat Group with premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded. However, storage space inside the cabin was limited, and the cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access. The front seats were comfortable, wrapped in quality leather, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Despite this, the back seat offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated outboard seating positions. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated bin. The Range Rover provided 25 cubic feet of luggage space, with a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. The system was intuitive, with appealing graphics, though some features were embedded in menus. The voice recognition system worked well, and drivers could adjust stereo and climate controls using voice commands.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, and using the touchscreens while driving was distracting. The Range Rover included a head-up display, but it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Activity Key wristband allowed owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle, and the iGuide smartphone app served as a digital owner's manual.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered optional driving assistance and collision avoidance technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. The adaptive cruise control overreacted to traffic changes, and the lane-keeping assist was occasionally insistent. The Compass earned Good ratings in IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance, while NHTSA ratings were mixed.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and parking sensors. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and more. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, with the adaptive cruise control being slow to respond. Overall, the safety features were effective and accurate.